Sandy Johnson, who lives in Los Angeles, has travelled around the world seeking answers to our most pressing questions about spirit, health, and life.Travel with her through India, deep into secret, sacred Indian rituals, and into the heart of Brazil. Meet his holiness the Dali Lama (Tibetan Book of Elders), Oglala Lakota Medicine Man Pete Catches (The Book of Elders: The Life Stories of Great American Indians), and the amazing healer Joao de Deus (Mystics and Healers).

"Not defined by age or gender, an elder is one who carries the knowledge of tradition and wisdom of the heart, one who walks in truth and dignity no matter how poor, in humility no matter how revered."

"An elder serves the people, even when his or her own larder is down to the last sack of coffee, even when the body aches with fatigue. Even when there is nothing left to give, there is always an open door, an open heart. Some elders heal with a knowledge of natural medicine not yet known or recognized by the dominant culture. Some heal with a spirituality worlds beyond many of those who don black robes and preach on Sundays. Some heal with a song."